PVC Exclusive

Written by a collection of the best writers in the industry and covering topics ranging from editing to motion graphics to live production. This channel features an incredibly diverse collection of authors and articles. Find out more about each of them...

In third grade, Richard Wirth was already reading anything he could find about television while dreaming of becoming a professional in the world of television and film production. Stops on the life timeline at American Forces Television, the Motion Picture Association, several mid-western pr...

What sort of considerations come into play now that so many professionals are allowed to and even required to work remotely?

Homer Simpson once described working from home as his dream, and it’s a sentiment shared by many professionals. How many people have dreamed of a morning commute lasting no longer than 30 seconds? A lunch break spent on the back porch? Or having the desire to do something at the end of...
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The director talks to us about the short film he wrote, produced and edited

Alexis Van Hurkman is a man of many talents. He might be best known for his expertise in post-production, and as the writer of books such as the “Color Correction Handbook,” and “Adobe SpeedGrade: Getting Started,” that should come as no surprise. ProVideo Coalition...
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Find out how you can and should be approaching and implementing your production and post storage needs

Storage requirements for production and post-production have increased exponentially over the past few years, and that growth shows no sign of slowing down. With things like 4K, 8K and collaboration that takes place across continents, being able to access and store data has become an...
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Part 4: Types of Lighting Tools

Lighting is an evolving art form. Not only does technique change and advance but so does the technology of how light is produced and generated. Even a decade ago the landscape of production lighting was much different from what it is today. Just like with the cameras that are coming out today,...
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IBC will be taking place in early September, and just like the previous six years, the Creative Pro User Group Network (CPUG Network) are set to put on a SuperMeet. The event is happening on Sunday, Sept 14, 2014 at the Hotel Krasnapolsky in the heart of Amsterdam. Our very own Kevin...
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An interview with the producer of Teradek’s live NAB and IBC coverage

We’ve previously covered how content creators can get started with streaming, and it’s amazing to see how the technology allows creators to deliver their content. Whether you’re looking to stream a high school football game or broadcast simultaneously from time zones across...
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Part 3: Single Source Method

Here we are in Part III of our series, Lighting Tips for Cinematographers. To recap, in part 1 I discussed the topic of lighting for foreground and background exposure. I wrote about how to achieve the standard look of exposing your foreground 1 stop above your background as a framework to begin. Then I showed some examples of how you can break that rule. In part 2 I talked about the checkerboard pattern and how this method will create depth and direct the viewers attention to certain aspects of the scene. As a storyteller this always increases your ability to effectively tell your story and guide the viewer on the journey you have laid out for them.

CEO Fredrik Limsäter tells us how ftrack can help creators keep their project on track

Project management is an issue that industry professionals of all sizes and types deal with. Keeping track of shots, figuring out how to collaborate with someone who’s on the other side of the world and trying to organize budgeting and scheduling logistics are just a few of the issues...
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Part 2: The Checker Board Pattern Method

The last post we talked about how to get a proper initial setting when lighting your subject/foreground and background. If you missed it, check out Part I: Foreground and Background Exposure. For this post I wanted to take that initial step and move a little more in depth and talk about lighting scenes with the checkerboard pattern.

Large screen projection was a gleam in television’s eye long before today’s digital systems

Television has been trying to grow up and be a projection medium since its inception. With the advent of digital, the little box of light and shadows has finally gotten its big boy pants and even whipped its big brother, film, to take over supremacy in the theatrical world.

Part I: Foreground and Background Exposure

I spent the 1st half of this year releasing two films, a feature length documentary and a short film narrative (Becoming Fools and Fruitcake respectively). Through this process I've attended screenings and festivals of our own films and for others. I've also sat through several Q&A's with independent filmmakers and although I love hearing how other creatives move through the process of producing their work I sometimes get increasingly frustrated with the fact that camera gear takes such a center stage while lighting, composition, sound design and production design take a distant back seat.

Participants of the live webinar answer all of the questions that came in during the event

During the live "The Benefits of Using 4K Now" webinar, presenters James Fox, Geoff Peck and Scott Hamilton presented info that content creators need to consider in the present and future when it comes to 4K. As the CEO and VP of Technology at Dawnrunner, respectively, James and Geoff discussed...
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An interview with ProMAX CEO Jess Hartman about how acquisition of Cache-A affects their present and future

Big news was announced on July 22nd, as ProMAX went public with their acquisition of Cache-A, a leading supplier of network-attached video archive appliances. The move will allow ProMAX to integrate Cache-A’s archival technology into the multi-functional capabilities of Platform storage...
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An interview with Sinclair Fleming , Director of Engineering at Radiant Images

Radiant Images is solution-oriented rental house singularly focused on advancing cinematography. At Cine Gear they showcased their Novo action camera accessories and a wide selection of custom camera stabilizers for attendees. Their focus on simplicity in design and operation and ease of...
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An interview with Sharknado and Sharknado 2: The Second One director Anthony C. Ferrante

Although the Syfy channel has been producing original movies since 2001 (when it was known as the Sci-Fi channel), it’s safe to say that none of them have made an impact like the original Sharknado. When it first aired in the summer of 2013, the movie drew 1.4 Million viewers...
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This happens a lot: I’m budgeting a script and I get to this crowded street scene, or a basketball game, or a really killer dance set piece. I figure out as best I can how many extras are needed, and budget all the related costs accordingly. Then I present the budget to the producer and she’s horrified. “One hundred thousand for extras? What the hell?”

An in-depth interview about how developments in 3D are impacting the way we produce and consume content

San Francisco-based DMAX Imaging creates high-end visualizations and animations for leaders in design and innovation such as Beats, Mini and Nest. Founded by three partners who wanted to reinvent the prepress experience, DMAX focuses on meeting customer needs instead of selling a particular...
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Are we witnessing the end of an era or the beginning of a new one?

Mergers and acquisitions have been part of the way businesses have operated for centuries, but the incredible pace of technology makes these sorts of transactions more powerful than ever. That's especially true in the media...
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